Max Starks was supposed to be the consolation prize at left tackle after the San Diego Chargers couldn’t find a blindside protector for Philip Rivers in free agency or in the draft. However, Starks’ stay in San Diego was short-lived.

In a move that had been expected, the Chargers released the former Pittsburgh starter. He was the biggest name among the 11 players San Diego cut Friday. They still have to trim 11 players to get down to the 53-man limit Saturday.

Starks was never really in the race at left tackle. Fellow free-agent pickup King Dunlap took control of the battle early. In the end, Starks lost his job because he couldn’t hold off second-year player Mike Harris. Harris, an emergency starter at left tackle last season as an undrafted free agent, will be the swing tackle.

Meanwhile, the Jets reportedly have cut defensive tackle Antonio Garay, who had spent the past four seasons with the Chargers. The Chargers don’t have much depth on the defensive line, and Garay knows the San Diego system if the team is looking for a veteran.